19/07/2022

The IV FFR Workshop was a great successs

lab members, outreach activities

After a forced worldwide break for in-person conferences and workshops due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had the opportunity to hold the fourth edition of the Frequency-Following Response (FFR) Workshop on 8th-10th June at the University of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). With the aim of bringing the FFR community together and discussing on different features that characterize this intriguing evoked potential, the workshop has included several oral presentations, three plenary talks, poster sessions and a final roundtable discussion.
The event started with the first plenary talk given by Dr. Erika Skoe, from the University of Connecticut (USA), providing FFR insights from studies performed on bilingual populations. On the second day, we had the chance to hear Dr. Bharath Chandrasekaran, from the University of Pittsburgh (USA), holding a discussion on the FFR neural sources and modulatory influences. Dr. Gavin Bidelman, from the University of Memphis (USA), gave the last plenary talk reviewing innovations in FFR research paradigms, characterizing online changes in brainstem-cortical function that are essential for robust speech perception.
Several oral communications were also presented by researchers and experts discussing classic and new topics in this rapidly evolving field of research, questioning the origins and interpretation of the response, and exploring new recording and analysis techniques. FFR acquisition and development across lifespan and its characterization in different populations or species were also discussed throughout the different oral and poster sessions, with special interest on the need to standardize methodologies for clinical practice. An engaging final roundtable discussion, led by Nina Kraus, from Northwestern University (USA), closed the workshop incorporating different thoughts and future orientations in this research area.
We are very honored to have organized this edition of the FFR Workshop, which was inspired by former editions in London (2014, 2019) and Boston (2016). We are looking forward to enjoy the upcoming one, that will surely be held soon!

Cover_GroupPhoto
The group photo of the FFR Workshop 2022
Prof. Carles Escera and Prof. Nina Kraus giving the opening remarks for the FFR workshop 2022.
Prof. Carles Escera and Prof. Nina Kraus giving the opening remarks for the FFR Workshop 2022.
Prof. Erika Skoe giving the first plenary lecture of the workshop.
Prof. Erika Skoe giving the first plenary lecture of the Workshop.
Participants of the workshop enjoying the live music session at the reception.
Participants of the workshop enjoying the live music session at the reception.
Prof. Bharath Chandrasekaran giving his plenary lecture of the workshop.
Prof. Bharath Chandrasekaran giving his plenary lecture at the workshop.
Participants of the workshop enjoying the poster session and the good weather at the Pati de les Ciències of the Historic Building of the University of Barcelona.
Participants of the workshop enjoying the poster session and the good weather at the Pati de les Ciències of the Historic Building of the University of Barcelona.
Prof. Gavin Bidelman giving his plenary lecture from Memphis, Tennessee.
Prof. Gavin Bidelman giving his plenary lecture from Memphis, Tennessee.
Photo of the round table session that concluded the workshop.
Robert Zatorre, Nina Kraus, Manolo S. Malmierca, Erika Skoe, Bharath Chandrasekaran (from left to right) during the round table session that closed the Workshop.
Siham Ijjou receiving an awared for the best poster presented at the workshop.
Siham Ijjou-Kadiri receiving the award for the best poster presented at the workshop.
Dr. Teresa Ribas Prats receiving a bouquet of flowers as the representative of the organizing team of the FFR workshop 2022.
Dr. Teresa Ribas-Prats receiving a bouquet of flowers as the representative of the organizing team of the FFR workshop 2022.